What is the primary goal of reconstruction? Reunification, punishment, civil rights, other? (Thesis)
The Civil War caused destruction across all parts of America, but since the battle spent most of its time in the South they had the most destruction. We want to help repair the South, allow them back into the Union, punish the leaders of the Confederate Army, and give equal rights to all the freemen no matter their race or background. Slowly all these will happen, by a slight increase in taxes, ⅔ loyalty to the Union, a Non-Aggression Act, and a ten-year plan. They will all be spaced out, so not to overwhelm people who may not agree and give them time to adjust. What should be done to the ex-Confederates? Although the ex-Confederates have committed multiple crimes in which sacrificed the safety of our nation as a whole, the democratic principles established by our forefathers should not be ignored. All men are created equal, and now that principle has now been tested and fulfilled. As a united nation, we must set a standard for our nation, so this unspeakable tragedy will never occur in these united states again. Our plan for these former traitors to be admitted into the union is simple. Each state that wants to be admitted must have a ⅔ majority pledge of allegiance to the Union. We have created a General Welfare System for single mothers, injured or wounded soldiers, homeless, and freedmen by a 1% tax increase which will be inputted in every state. This tax will create revenue for reconstruction of land and livelihood of those who have financially or physically been affected, paving our way to a brighter future. In order to protect everyone, we have created the Non-Aggression Act, which states that no person may harm another person based on race, gender, political views, or social status. We will enforce this law by sending the military down to the conflicting area for as long as we have to in order to create peace. If one disobeys this law, they will be tried and may be serving jail time or have a portion of their land stripped away from their possession. The formerly highly ranked influential military leaders of the CSA will be placed in jail for the time being, before trials will begin, determining their fate, either to the rope or to the cell. Our plan shows authority and justice to those who decide to go against the ways of the Union.
What should be done for the freedmen? After passing the 13th and 14th amendment, the ways of the Old America will never be the same. This new freedom to the former slaves will have to be navigated wisely, and will not be completely equal instantly. We have developed a 10-year plan which will provide immediate welfare (the General Welfare Program), freeing of all slaves, civil rights, free education, voting rights after two years, then two years for equal wages, and another two years to hold a government position. We will recruit former slaves to work to rebuild structures and farms, paying them 13 cents an hour, which will be equal for whites and blacks. This provides a system of work for the blacks and a strong labor force for the reconstruction of the nation. Integrating the black children into white schools will not occur instantly due to the whites’ vicious hostility towards the newly freed blacks. We will have a separate public school that black children and adults will be able to attend and learn reading, writing, and arithmetic in order to help them qualify for higher paying jobs in the future. We will establish a federal organization to send teachers to the southern freedmen but will have Union soldiers protect them by providing protected housing for both the teachers and the blacks. We must slowly integrate the blacks into society because if we respond aggressively, the southern whites will make themselves heard through harmful acts such as the terrorist group, the Ku Klux Klan. We hope that in time, the whites will acknowledge the freedmen of this nation as real humans, born with the same inalienable rights, no matter the color of their skin.
Who should be able to vote and hold office in the new Southern state governments? Southerners who were high ranking officials in the CSA will be barred from running for office, holding office, and voting. Any white male who is of voting age and pledges loyalty to the union and abide by federal and state laws will be allowed to vote. As part of the 10-year plan, the freedmen will be allowed to vote after two years, in order to slowly introduce equality and prevent the aggression and riots from introducing complete equality immediately. The polling places will be protected by union military in order to prevent voting fraud and after two years freedmen being able to vote. After six years, freedmen will be able to hold office, eventually leading to total equality.
What requirements must be met before states regain full rights and representation?
Two-thirds of the state must pledge loyalty to the union and the state must follow and enforce the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments and agree to follow all federal laws and amendments that are created in the future. The state must also follow the Non-Aggression Act and amend their state constitution to follow federal laws and amendments made to the constitution in order to regain full rights and representation.
How should the Southern economy be restored?
With businesses, houses, and entire towns demolished from the war, leaving families homeless, the South doesn’t have the money or the means to repair their states. The North shouldn't feel obligated to pay for all the expenses for the reconstruction of the South, but at the same time, they should contribute. There will not be any Southern states to bring back into the Union if the North doesn't take action. If the president wants a peaceful transfer after the war, Congress should allow a tax increase by 1% to help pay for the rebuilding of the Southern states. Additionally, factories will be built in order to give the south a stable economy like the north. Also a new agriculural pattern will be implemented including paid labor as part of the jobs for both the freedmen and southerners who need jobs.
What role should Union troops play in policing, governing, or rebuilding the South?
Union troops should be placed in the South to enforce laws and policies, such as the 13th amendment, protecting the freedmen and strictly forcing the abolishment of slavery. The Union troops should not play a role in governing the South, but the South’s government should be closely watched so that the southerners do not try to break away from the Union again.
Re-state the primary goal of reconstruction. (Thesis re-stated)
After the war, the South was left destroyed, we hope to rebuild and allow them into the union as long as they agreed to our 2/3 loyalty to the union. In order to rebuild we ask for 1% tax increase from all states, for the South and also to help out people that need supplies after the war. We want to be sure that freedman and whites have equal rights that will be placed over time with a ten-year plan. We will not allow any aggression towards anyone based on race, social status, or gender and we will punish the leaders in charge of the Confederate army. We hope that these ideas will allow our country unify and become a better place for everyone.
Prepare a response to an "opposition" group. In your response, you will need to point out the flaws and weaknesses and/or the strengths of their plan. The day after we present, be sure to upload your response at the bottom of their page. You will also need to be ready to challenge their plan in class, as their group presents.
The Civil War caused destruction across all parts of America, but since the battle spent most of its time in the South they had the most destruction. We want to help repair the South, allow them back into the Union, punish the leaders of the Confederate Army, and give equal rights to all the freemen no matter their race or background. Slowly all these will happen, by a slight increase in taxes, ⅔ loyalty to the Union, a Non-Aggression Act, and a ten-year plan. They will all be spaced out, so not to overwhelm people who may not agree and give them time to adjust.
What should be done to the ex-Confederates?
Although the ex-Confederates have committed multiple crimes in which sacrificed the safety of our nation as a whole, the democratic principles established by our forefathers should not be ignored. All men are created equal, and now that principle has now been tested and fulfilled. As a united nation, we must set a standard for our nation, so this unspeakable tragedy will never occur in these united states again. Our plan for these former traitors to be admitted into the union is simple. Each state that wants to be admitted must have a ⅔ majority pledge of allegiance to the Union. We have created a General Welfare System for single mothers, injured or wounded soldiers, homeless, and freedmen by a 1% tax increase which will be inputted in every state. This tax will create revenue for reconstruction of land and livelihood of those who have financially or physically been affected, paving our way to a brighter future. In order to protect everyone, we have created the Non-Aggression Act, which states that no person may harm another person based on race, gender, political views, or social status. We will enforce this law by sending the military down to the conflicting area for as long as we have to in order to create peace. If one disobeys this law, they will be tried and may be serving jail time or have a portion of their land stripped away from their possession. The formerly highly ranked influential military leaders of the CSA will be placed in jail for the time being, before trials will begin, determining their fate, either to the rope or to the cell. Our plan shows authority and justice to those who decide to go against the ways of the Union.
What should be done for the freedmen?
After passing the 13th and 14th amendment, the ways of the Old America will never be the same. This new freedom to the former slaves will have to be navigated wisely, and will not be completely equal instantly. We have developed a 10-year plan which will provide immediate welfare (the General Welfare Program), freeing of all slaves, civil rights, free education, voting rights after two years, then two years for equal wages, and another two years to hold a government position. We will recruit former slaves to work to rebuild structures and farms, paying them 13 cents an hour, which will be equal for whites and blacks. This provides a system of work for the blacks and a strong labor force for the reconstruction of the nation. Integrating the black children into white schools will not occur instantly due to the whites’ vicious hostility towards the newly freed blacks. We will have a separate public school that black children and adults will be able to attend and learn reading, writing, and arithmetic in order to help them qualify for higher paying jobs in the future. We will establish a federal organization to send teachers to the southern freedmen but will have Union soldiers protect them by providing protected housing for both the teachers and the blacks. We must slowly integrate the blacks into society because if we respond aggressively, the southern whites will make themselves heard through harmful acts such as the terrorist group, the Ku Klux Klan. We hope that in time, the whites will acknowledge the freedmen of this nation as real humans, born with the same inalienable rights, no matter the color of their skin.
Who should be able to vote and hold office in the new Southern state governments?
Southerners who were high ranking officials in the CSA will be barred from running for office, holding office, and voting. Any white male who is of voting age and pledges loyalty to the union and abide by federal and state laws will be allowed to vote. As part of the 10-year plan, the freedmen will be allowed to vote after two years, in order to slowly introduce equality and prevent the aggression and riots from introducing complete equality immediately. The polling places will be protected by union military in order to prevent voting fraud and after two years freedmen being able to vote. After six years, freedmen will be able to hold office, eventually leading to total equality.
What requirements must be met before states regain full rights and representation?
Two-thirds of the state must pledge loyalty to the union and the state must follow and enforce the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments and agree to follow all federal laws and amendments that are created in the future. The state must also follow the Non-Aggression Act and amend their state constitution to follow federal laws and amendments made to the constitution in order to regain full rights and representation.
How should the Southern economy be restored?
With businesses, houses, and entire towns demolished from the war, leaving families homeless, the South doesn’t have the money or the means to repair their states. The North shouldn't feel obligated to pay for all the expenses for the reconstruction of the South, but at the same time, they should contribute. There will not be any Southern states to bring back into the Union if the North doesn't take action. If the president wants a peaceful transfer after the war, Congress should allow a tax increase by 1% to help pay for the rebuilding of the Southern states. Additionally, factories will be built in order to give the south a stable economy like the north. Also a new agriculural pattern will be implemented including paid labor as part of the jobs for both the freedmen and southerners who need jobs.
What role should Union troops play in policing, governing, or rebuilding the South?
Union troops should be placed in the South to enforce laws and policies, such as the 13th amendment, protecting the freedmen and strictly forcing the abolishment of slavery. The Union troops should not play a role in governing the South, but the South’s government should be closely watched so that the southerners do not try to break away from the Union again.
Re-state the primary goal of reconstruction. (Thesis re-stated)
After the war, the South was left destroyed, we hope to rebuild and allow them into the union as long as they agreed to our 2/3 loyalty to the union. In order to rebuild we ask for 1% tax increase from all states, for the South and also to help out people that need supplies after the war. We want to be sure that freedman and whites have equal rights that will be placed over time with a ten-year plan. We will not allow any aggression towards anyone based on race, social status, or gender and we will punish the leaders in charge of the Confederate army. We hope that these ideas will allow our country unify and become a better place for everyone.
Prepare a response to an "opposition" group. In your response, you will need to point out the flaws and weaknesses and/or the strengths of their plan. The day after we present, be sure to upload your response at the bottom of their page. You will also need to be ready to challenge their plan in class, as their group presents.